SPL Performer S1200 Stereo High Power Amplifier (Black)

Performer s1200

The powerful stereo amplifier

This impressive stereo power amplifier leads even the most
demanding speakers to soundscapes beyond your expectations. With a power
amplification of 2 x 520 W (4 Ω) [2 x 550 W (2 Ω); 2 x 300 W (8 Ω)], this
completely analog amplifier easily controls any loudspeaker.

Thanks to the VOLTAiR technology the performance of the
s1200 is detail-rich, vivid, honest and plain simply beautiful.

Individual design

In addition to the choice of the basic color black, red or
silver, there are three more options for each to customize the Performer s1200
to individual design preferences with the black, red and silver decorative
panels included in the scope of delivery.

The decorative panels adhere with the help of a strong
neodymium magnet. No tools are required to exchange them.

Better safe than sorry

The Performer s1200 has a protection circuit against DC
voltage and against overheating. If direct current (DC) is detected, the
output stage switches off automatically and the Protect LED lights up red.

To protect the s1200 against the unlikely event of
overheating, a temperature sensor at the heatsinks continuously monitors the
temperature of the device. The TEMP LED lights up yellow when the Performer
s1200 is getting too hot. 

As a result of this the output stage is switched off and the
fans run on high-speed until the device has cooled down.

Freedom of choice

The Performer s1200 features a stereo pair of XLR and RCA
inputs. This makes it compatible with all preamps on the market without the use
of adapters. The stereo input can be selected via the Input Select switch on
the rear panel.

Trim to fit

With reference to the Performer s1200, “fit” means
adapted. 

You can adapt the input sensitivity in 0.5 dB steps from 0
dB to -5.5 dB. In contrast to a panorama potentiometer in a preamplifier, this
trim switch is the more audiophile solution. The optimal operating range of the
loudspeakers and preamplifier can be perfectly adjusted this way.

Power to the speakers

The loudspeaker binding posts can accommodate banana plugs
as well as a stranded wire with a diameter of up to 4 mm. Thus, any common type
of speaker cable can be used. However, we do not recommend connecting a speaker
with less than 2 ohms impedance.

Trigger me

The standby mode of the power amplifier can be switched on
and off using the AMP CTL connection between a preamplifier such as the
Director Mk2.

To do this, connect the 3.5 mm phone jacks with a cable with
3.5 mm mono or stereo jack plugs. Thanks to its 12 V trigger input, third party
preamps can also switch the Performer s1200’s standby mode on and off.

A class of its own

Conventional solid-state power amplifiers tend to operate in
a critical range of the built-in components – this results in unpleasant
harmonical artifacts. Tube power amplifiers also distort at their limit but
their characteristically behavior softens this roughness and harshness.

Non the less this is a falsified representation of the sound
image. Thanks to VOLTAiR Technology, the Performer s1200 can process much
higher levels without even coming near to a critical range. All components
constantly operate in the optimal range. The result is a very pleasant, natural
and relaxed sound experience. Enjoy your music in every detail and without any
listening fatigue.

Full power

The Performer s1200 features individual amplification stages
for voltage and power amplification, which ensures a perfect operating of the
class-AB amplifier circuit.

Thanks to each stage’s own negative feedback path, it is
ruled out that feedbacks from the loudspeaker are interacting with the input
stage – this way the SPL VOLTAiR Technology can play out its full performance.

Keep cool

Inside the Performer s1200, six fans usually do nothing at
all, because 90 % of the heat is passively dissipated via massive heat sinks.

Should it nevertheless become really loud for a really long
time, the processor-controlled fans remain virtually inaudible at only 19 dB
(A).

During power-up, the fans of the Performer s1200 briefly
rotate at a higher speed to remove dust of themselves and surrounding
components.

Sounds good

With all devices of the Professional Fidelity series we
develop not only according to plan, but also by ear. Many important components
are installed on the circuit boards using Through-hole technology. This way we
can ensure that we can use the best sounding components.

The VOLTAiR Technology

The 120V technology is our reference technology. The 120V
technology is unique in the world. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts.
This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps. In our Professional
Fidelity series, we refer to this unsurpassed technology as VOLTAiR technology.

The highest possible audio quality requires the highest
possible audio operating voltage.

The 120V technology works with +/-60 V. To be able to handle
such a high voltage, we have developed special proprietary operational
amplifiers that can operate with a DC voltage of +/-60 V: the SPL 120V SUPRA
operational amplifiers. 

This high voltage would destroy conventional components and
operational amplifiers.

By the way, the “120V” in the name of the technology has
nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the mains power socket. This is
about the operating voltage inside the device with which the audio signals are
processed.

The mains voltage from the mains power socket is transformed to the required
secondary voltage in the device’s internal linear power supply with toroidal
transformer. Rectifiers convert this AC voltage into DC voltage required in the
audio device.

VOLTAiR is a composition of the terms Volt and Air. Volt is
the unit for electrical voltage and Air stands for the
unlimited space the music can breathe in.

VOLTAiR symbolizes the perceived limitless
dynamics resulting from high audio voltage.

Comparison

Most audio devices work with an internal operating voltage
of +/-15 volts and can thus process a maximum input level of +21.5 dBu. If a
DAC, for example, has an output level of +22 dBu at 0 dBFS, level peaks of the
music material would already cause overloads in the input stage of the
device. 

All components in the audio device often operate at their
limits. The result is an unsteady sound that causes stress and faster ear
fatigue.

SPL devices with VOLTAiR technology can handle input levels
of +32.5 dBu thanks to the higher internal operating voltage of +/- 60 volts –
thus offering 12 dB more headroom. All components consequently operate
continuously in the optimum operating range. The result is a very pleasant,
natural and relaxed sound experience. So you can enjoy your music in every
detail.

VOLTAiR is that good

In the lab, we pitted Phonitor xe against the best
audio measurement system and found that Audio Precision could not measure
VOLTAiR technology.

Home is where the heart is

That’s why we manufacture all SPL devices in our own production
facility in Niederkrüchten on the Lower Rhine, Germany.

Specifications

Analog Inputs: XLR (balanced), RCA (unbalanced)

Input impedance
20 kΩ

Input trimming
0 dB to -5.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps

Input sensitivity
10,5 dBu

Loudspeaker Outputs: Binding posts with 4 mm ø cable hole
(screwable) and banana plug

Output power (RMS, 2 Ω)
2 x 550 W

Harmonic distortion (1 kHz, 2 Ω)
< 0,09 %

Output power (RMS, 4 Ω)
2 x 520 W

Harmonic distortion (1 kHz, 4 Ω)
< 0,09 %

Output power (RMS, 8 Ω)
2 x 300 W

Harmonic distortion (1 kHz, 8 Ω)
< 0,04 %

Output voltage (Peak-to-Peak)
160 V

Output voltage (RMS)
54,6 V

Output impedance (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
< 0,031 Ω

Frequency range (-3dB)
10 Hz – 80 kHz

Amplification gain
26 dB

Damping factor (1 kHz, 8 Ω)
> 290

Noise (A-weighted)
-123 dB

Internal Linear Power Supply with Shielded Toroidal
Transformer

Toroidal transformer
1440 VA

Operating voltage (Input stage)
+/- 60 V

Operating voltage (power stage)
+/- 80 V

Operating voltage for relays, LEDs, AMP CTL
+ 12 V

Mains Power Supply

Mains voltage (selectable, see fuse chamber)
230 V AC / 50; 115 V AC / 60 Hz

Fuse 230 V
T 6,3 A

Fuse 115 V
T 10 A

Power consumption
max. 1440 VA

Idle power consumption
50 W

Stand-by power consumption
< 0,3 W

Dimensions & Weight

W x H x D (width x height incl. feet x depth)
278 x 205 x 375 mm
10.94 x 8.07 x 14.76 inch

Unit weight
25,1 kg
55,3 lbs

Shipping weight
29,1 kg
64,2 lbs
Reference: 0 dBu = 0,775V. All specifications
are subject to change without notice.